You use nonwovens every day in things like tea bags or dryer sheets, but any that are sewn inside a mask should be washable.
Nonwoven textiles are a web of randomly oriented fibers that can catch particles yet still feel breathable, and we've suggested using one as a filtration layer in masks since the onset of the pandemic.
To break down the mask materials further: “While it is expected that several cloth-based reusable face coverings can meet the standard, products based on nonwoven materials, whether as an insert to a cloth face covering or as a separate product, are likely to provide higher levels of performance.” “This is because nonwoven materials are generally more efficient in the way that they are constructed,” shares Stull. While there’s no way to know if they would meet the current standard without formal lab testing, Stull advises that nonwoven textiles inside cloth masks provide better filtration than woven cloths alone. First, how do I know if my current mask is protective?īy this point in the pandemic, many people have purchased their fair share of face masks. and one of the standard's developers, to break down exactly what you need to know about the new criteria – and whether your existing face masks are up to par. We also interviewed Jeffrey Stull, President of International Personal Protection, Inc. The fiber scientists in our Textiles Lab and health editors thoroughly reviewed all of the technical specifications in this new face mask standard and attended a virtual event run by its technical contacts, including representatives from the CDC. The Good Housekeeping Institute plays an active role in ASTM International, an organization made up of industry experts that develops safety and performance standards. All of Your Face Mask Questions, Answered